Daara J Family

Daara J Family

Daara J Family is a Senegalese hip hop group that starts in 1992 under the name Daara J. The name means “School of Life” in Wolof. The group is based in Senegal and is known for combining modern hip hop with roots influences, including Afro reggae, hip hop and soul. Its work focuses on human identity, social and political themes, and spirituality.

The group includes the singers Faada Freddy and Ndongo D, with DJ Neassso also part of the line-up. It develops an international profile through more than 1,500 performances worldwide, including appearances in France, the UK, Germany, the USA and Japan. Its releases appear in more than 20 territories.

Daara J Family wins the BBC Radio 3 World Music Award for Best African Act and receives a nomination for the Mobo Awards in 2004 for Boomerang, the third of its three albums. The group also collaborates with Ojos de Brujo on La Mirada del Otro and with Damon Albarn on Africa Express. In Dakar, it works from the Bois Sakré studio, where it produces Senegalese hip hop artists including Canabasse, Makkanj, Ombré Zion, Youngou Man, Gaston, Titi, Krezi, Fata and Dakar All Stars. The group records a new album, School Of Life, featuring musicians from around the world, and its music also draws on blues Manding, hip hop and reggae sonorities.